The heroin and prescription opiate task force that King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray brought together last month is already taking action to reduce the number of fatal overdoses.

About 90 doses of naloxone – a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of heroin and opiate overdose – will be distributed to local treatment and housing providers where people receive assistance for mental illness and addiction. It’s the first in what will be a series of recommendations by the task force representing the medical field, treatment providers, police and fire, hospitals, public health and other disciplines. Caleb Banta-Green from ADAI/UW is one of members.

“This impressive lineup of experts is already recommending actions we can take now to save lives immediately,” said Constantine. “It demonstrates that we share a sense of urgency and a commitment to creating innovative solutions.”

Integration of Addiction Medicine: This theme concerns issues related to the integration of addiction treatment and primary health care, addiction services in non-health settings, care coordination models, implementation strategies, and the impact of the ACA on treatment for substance use disorders.

Seattle police are now carrying Naloxone (Narcan), a medication that reverses overdose from heroin and other opioids, including prescription pain medicine. In an interview by Al Jazeera America, television host and parent Penny LeGate talks about her daughter's overdose, and how it may have been prevented if this life-saving drug had been available. The news story includes comments from ADAI Research Scientist Caleb Banta-Green, a specialist in opioid addiction and overdose prevention.